Guidelines and Procedures for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Applicants

THE TANZANIA COMMISSION FOR
UNIVERSITIES

For the purpose of these guidelines, RPL may be defined as an assessment
process of an individual’s informal or formal learning in order to determine
the extent to which that individual has achieved the required learning
outcomes, competencies, or standards to make him/her eligible to apply for
admission to a specified degree programme. Under the UQF 6, the qualification
guideline provides for an RPL pathway as an alternative access point for UQF 8.

The 7th Special Meeting
of the Joint Admissions Committee held on 9th February 2012, abolished the Mature Age entry
examinations which were then replaced by RPL. TCU in its 60th meeting of the Commission
held on 14thMarch 2013
approved the guidelines for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and its
implementation started from academic year 2013/2014.

These guidelines are issued in accordance with the introduction of the
UniversityQualificationsFramework (UQF) in 2012 which requires Recognition of
Prior Learning (RPL) as an entry point to UQF8. These guidelines are for RPL in
respect to cases which were previously considered as part of the Mature Age
Entry Examination arrangements.

2.Principles

a)RPL is critical to the development of an open,
accessible, inclusive, integrated and relevant post-compulsory education and
training system, and is the key foundation for lifelong learning policies that
encourage individuals to participate in learning pathways that include formal,
non-formal and informallearning.

b)RPL will be assessed through examinations organized
along targeted programmes.

c)The certificate issued shall be used for purpose of
applying for admission into a relevant degree only in TanzaniaUniversities.

d)The model of RPL that is implemented must be aligned
with the outcomes, goals, and objectives of the qualification intended to be
pursued by the candidate.

e)RPL should recognizeapplicant’s learning regardless of
how and where it was acquired, provided that the learning is relevant to the
learning or competency outcomes in a subject, unit module, course or
qualification to be pursued by thecandidate.

f)Admission to any university is competitive. The RPL
assessment, therefore, does not imply a guaranteed enrolment intoother
institutions that accept RPL students. The candidate may apply for admission
and competebased on the available capacity/slots using the certificate obtained
in the RPL examinations. However, one is assured of direct admission after passing RPL Exams if he/she wishes to study
in the same RPLCentre.

3.RPLeligibility.

RPL shall involve the following: -

Certificate of PrimaryEducation

Candidates with primary education
must possess the following qualifications:

a)Must have completed and possess a standard sevencertificates;

b)Must have progressed to NTA level5;

c)Must have practiced the acquired knowledge for not less than fiveyears.

Certificate of SecondaryEducation

Candidates with secondary
education shall possess the following qualifications:

a)Must have completed and possess a certificate of secondaryeducation;

b)Must have attended any extramuralclasses;

c)Must have experience of not less than five years in the relevantfield.

Advanced Certificate of SecondaryEducation

Candidates with
Advanced Certificates of Secondary Education shall possess the following
qualifications:

a)Must have completed and possess a Certificate of
Advance Certificate of SecondaryEducation;

b)Must have attended any extramuralclasses;

c)Must have experience of not less than three years in a relevantfield.

DiplomaEducation

Candidates with Diploma Education
shall possess the following qualifications:

a)Must have completed a two to three years Diplomaprogramme;

b)Must have experience of not less than three years in a relevantfield.

Candidates with foreigncertificates

Candidates with
secondary or Diploma Education shall possess the following qualifications:

5.Applicationprocedures

b)Candidates shall be required to apply for RPL
examination through the Central Admission System (CAS) each academic year once
advertised by theCommission.

c)Candidates who meet the minimum requirements as
stipulated in Section 4 above shall be given an examination card attached with
candidate’ photo and be required to appear for examination at an approved
examinationcenter.

d)The approved centers for coordination of RPL
examinations 2017/18 academic year are shown on Table1.

k.You can print or save your profile in PDF format for futurereference.

NOTE: Applicants should submit
to TCU premises all certified copies of the documents attached on section
6.2(i) including recentcoloured passport size photo. Applicant should make sure
that the documents submitted are marked with RPL Registration Number and field
of study.

7.Assessment
forRPL

a)The assessment shall focus on the discipline that the
candidate wants to pursue for furtherlearning.

b)The assessment tools (in terms of questions, grading,
and credits) shall be as approved by theCommission.

e)A candidate must score at least 50% from paper THREE(i.e. specific discipline) which
is 20 (50% of 40) marks and obtain other marks from other papers. Failure to
attain 50% in paper THREE (i.e. specific
discipline) will disqualify a candidate from passing theexamination.

f)Results of RPL shall be published by the Commission and RPLCentres.

g)Candidates who have passed at an average of B+ grade and above shall be eligible to
apply for admission during the applicable admissioncycle.

8.RPLCertificates

a)There shall be a certificate issued to a candidate who
has sat and passed RPL examination at an average of B+grade.

b)A certificate shall be issued by an institution
approved by the Commission to issue such acertificate.

c)Candidates with RPL Certificatesshall be able to apply
for admission to a relevant programme in any Higher LearningInstitution that
accept RPL students inTanzania

d)RPL certificate shall be valid for one year from the date it was issued in
recognition of the ability of the candidate to pursue higher education in the
specified field ofstudy.